GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Mary Stoll and Madison Rasch will spend the next year promoting Michigan’s apple industry.

Stoll, the niece and granddaughter of apple growers, was crowned the 2015 Michigan Apple Queen during the annual Michigan Apple Industry luncheon Dec. 10 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. The event is held during the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo.

Rasch, of Conklin, whose parents and grandparents are apple growers, was named first runner-up.

Stoll, 18, is the daughter of Richard and Joyce Stoll of Kent City and a student at Ferris State University where she is studying to become a pediatric optometrist. She is looking forward to representing the industry that has been part of her life since childhood. She said growing up on the farm has “helped me develop my passion for the apple industry. It’s a huge part of my life.

“I have been involved by mostly working at various markets selling fruit. I have really enjoyed working for the farm in this way, since I love being able to sell apples as well as teach and inform others about apples,” Stoll said.

“I’m excited that I get to represent Michigan apples and go out and promote them to others. I’m looking forward to working with children and being able to interact with them.”

Rasch, 18, is the daughter of Duane and Amy Rasch and a student at Muskegon Community College. She plans to transfer to Michigan State University to pursue a major in horticulture with a minor in agribusiness management, and then return to a career in apples.

Having grown up in Michigan’s apple industry, Rasch said she “wants to share the great qualities of all the different varieties with others. I want to help promote Michigan’s apple industry and help out Michigan’s growers.”

This month marked the 64th year of the competition that selects an apple representative based on poise, beauty, apple knowledge and public speaking ability. Stoll and Rasch will spend the year attending different events and festivals as the faces of the Michigan apple industry. They will also travel to schools throughout the state teaching students about apples.

“The Michigan Apple Queen has an important role as the representative of the Michigan apple industry,” said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee (MAC). “The candidates go through a rigorous interview and essay writing process for the competition. Mary will serve the industry well as an ambassador at schools, parades, festivals, grocery store events and more.”

Contestants for Michigan Apple Queen must be between 17-23 years old and have a connection to the state apple industry in order to serve as its ambassador. For their accomplishments, Stoll and Rasch each received a scholarship from the MAC and the Michigan State Horticultural Society.

The other contestants included Dana Dowd of Hartford and Elizabeth Tennes of Charlotte.

The MAC sponsors the queen contest. It is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com